Program, Training & Youth Development Services

The Program, Training & Youth Development Services (PTYDS) department develops and delivers world-class program resources, training and professional development opportunities to help Clubs create an outcome-driven Club Experience that positively impacts the youth we serve.

Our purpose is to:

· Position the Boys & Girls Club Movement to become a leader in expanded learning by preparing Clubs to deliver an outcome-driven Club Experience that results in members demonstrating our priority outcomes: Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles;

· Develop and deliver professional development opportunities, trainings and resources to help strengthen Club program operations, management and service delivery;

· Provide intentional service to help Clubs recruit and retain members, with an emphasis on retaining members through critical developmental transitions;

· Build individual Club capacity to serve members of all ages, with an emphasis on teens and tweens; and

· Manage Club pass-through grants.

To drive the mission of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, PTYDS has created four critical service units:

· Operations & Strategy

· Club Impact & Training

· Expanded Learning – Academic Success

· Expanded Learning – Good Character & Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles


Operations & Strategy

What is the purpose/role of the service?

The Operations & Strategy team manages the operations of PTYDS. This includes strategy development, non-federal grant administration, cross-departmental communications and alignment, partnerships, evidence-based programs, research and trends, myclubmylife.com (BGCA’s website for Club teens), and editorial services for program and training resources. This team cross-functionally aligns all grant processes and funding opportunities.

How will the service interact with local Clubs?

The Operations & Strategy team serves as the primary customer service team for PTYDS-related information for Clubs. Technical assistance and support is provided to help Clubs access program tools, resources, grants and training opportunities. Registration for youth conferences and program staff training events is also coordinated.

Who are the key leaders of the service?

The Operations & Strategy team is led by Romero Brown, National Vice President of Program, Training & Youth Development Services. Tiffany Henderson, Director, Operations and Strategy, manages partnerships, evidence-based programs and trend analysis. Deborah Day, Operations Manager, coordinates the administrative support to program initiatives, grants, training and Club consultations. Lauren Taylor, Lead Director, myclubmylife.com, manages the myclubmylife.com website and cross-departmental team.


Club Impact & Training

What is the purpose/role of the service?

The purpose of the Club Impact & Training team is to build the capacity of organizations and local Clubs so that they can strengthen overall Club operations. This will result in an outcome-driven Club Experience that will positively impact all youth served.

How will the service interact with local Clubs?

The Club Impact and Training team provides face-to-face consultation, training and ongoing support to local Clubs. The group will help Clubs implement the outcome-driven Club Experience, test new programs through pilots and measurement, and provide technical assistance in program management and volunteer cultivation. The development of Club program and management staff is a major priority; this team will design and implement core trainings and a Club Directors Academy, and manage All Staff and Club Director’s Conferences. The team will also be responsible for promoting the importance of recruitment, attendance, participation and retention of Club members, with an emphasis on tween and teen strategies.


Who are the key leaders of the service?

The Club Impact and Training team is led by Lorene Jackson, National Vice President of Program, Training & Youth Development Services. Julius Lott, Vice President of Diversity and Director of Career Development, ensures that local staff are trained and cultivated to advance their careers in the Movement. Jim Caufield, National Conference Manager and Senior Director, Training & Professional Development, manages BGCA’s annual National Conference and provides training and customer service to Clubs. John Alesch, Senior Director, Organizational Impact, manages a team of regional consultants who work directly with Clubs to boost their operations and programming. Sarah Berry-Rabun, Senior Director, Learning Strategy, manages a team that creates training materials and develops workshops for local Clubs.


Expanded Learning – Academic Success

What is the purpose/role of the service?

The purpose of the Expanded Learning – Academic Success team is to develop, lead and implement outcome-driven academic success, technology and arts programs and initiatives. This team provides thought leadership, content expertise and advocacy on behalf of the youth we serve, while also cultivating key partnerships with national and local organizations. This team also helps local Clubs build their programming capacity.

How will the service interact with local Clubs?

The Expanded Learning – Academic Success team will promote, and train Clubs on, the successful implementation of BGCA’s national programs and/or partner programs, in alignment with BGCA’s strategic plan and goals. Training and implementation of key national programs will enable local Clubs to measure the success of their academic success efforts. This team will also be responsible for promoting the importance of recruitment, attendance, participation and retention of Club members, with an emphasis on tween and teen strategies.

Who are the key leaders of the service?

The Expanded Learning – Academic Success team is led by Kimberly Boyd, National Vice President of Program, Training & Youth Development Services. Brazellia Baker, Senior Director, Academic Success, oversees programs and relationships for BGCA’s college- and career-preparation programs. Erica S. Stevens, Senior Director, Academic Success, oversees programs and relationships for BGCA’s education programs. An additional senior director will be hired to oversee programs and relationships for BGCA’s arts and innovation programs.


Expanded Learning – Good Character & Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles

What is the purpose/role of the service?

The purpose of the Expanded Learning – Good Character & Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles team is to develop, lead and implement outcome-driven good character, citizenship and healthy lifestyles programs. This team provides thought leadership, content expertise and advocacy on behalf of the youth we serve, while also cultivating key partnerships with national and local organizations. Team members also help local Clubs build their programming capacity.

How will the service interact with local Clubs?

The Expanded Learning – Good Character & Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles team will promote, and train Clubs on, the successful implementation BGCA’s national programs and/or partner programs, in alignment with BGCA’s strategic plan and goals. Training and implementation of key national programs will allow local Clubs to measure the success of their good character, citizenship and healthy lifestyles efforts. This team will also be responsible for promoting the importance of recruitment, attendance, participation and retention of Club members, with an emphasis on tween and teen strategies.

Who are the key leaders of the service?

The Expanded Learning – Good Character & Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyles team is led by Linda Wiltse, National Vice President of Program, Training & Youth Development Services. Joe Mollner, Senior Guidance & Youth Development Director, oversees programs and relationships for high-risk youth. Wayne B. Moss, Senior Director, Healthy Lifestyles, oversees programs and relationships for BGCA’s health and life skills and sports, fitness and recreation programs. Dan Rauzi, Senior Director, Good Character & Citizenship, oversees programs and relationships for BGCA’s youth leadership and digital citizenship programs.

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